ALEXANDRIA — With a bow in hand and a target downrange, the Alexandria archery program has built something this season that goes well beyond scores and medals.

From the middle school ranks up through the high school level, the Cardinals have turned steady improvement, team pride and attention to detail into one of the strongest archery programs in the state. Alexandria’s high school team is currently ranked third in Minnesota, while the middle school team sits eighth, a reflection of the work being done across every level of the program.

For middle school head coach Jim Stratton and team manager Anita Erickson, the success starts with the sport’s accessibility.

“Archery is an activity that can involve anyone at any age and ability,” they said. “The coaches strive to help all archers be successful.”

That foundation has helped make archery unique within the school community. Students do not need to throw, catch or kick a ball, nor do they need elite speed or size to contribute. Instead, all it takes is focus, repetition and trust in the process.

Equipment is supplied to every participant, and each archer uses the same bow, arrows and targets to create what the program views as a level field of competition. Special accommodations can also be made for athletes with special needs, helping ensure that every student has an opportunity to step onto the range and succeed. However, safety, Stratton and Erickson emphasized, remains the first priority.

“Safety is first and foremost when we train new archers on the range,” they said.

That emphasis on structure and consistency has paid off all season. But while the rankings are impressive, those closest to the program say the bigger story is how the teams have grown together.

“Both teams’ success this season has been due to having the sense of being part of a team and making a difference,” Stratton and Erickson said.

That team-first mentality is especially important in archery, where each athlete competes individually while also contributing to the overall team score. Every shot matters, and every archer on both the boys and girls sides alike help shape the outcome. Even with identical equipment, results are decided by discipline and execution. That is where Stratton’s message has become a program-wide standard.

“It’s the little things that make a difference,” he said.

That phrase has become a point of emphasis during practices and competitions alike. Technique, shooting form and consistency all add up, especially in a sport where small adjustments can change a score dramatically. Volunteer coaches help keep the equipment in top condition, but once an archer steps to the line, success comes down to preparation and poise.

The high school team’s rise has also been fueled by the work being done at the middle school level. With younger archers learning sound fundamentals early, the transition to varsity competition has become smoother and more productive.

“The high school has seen a much larger improvement in scores thanks to the great coaching of archers at the middle school level,” Stratton and Erickson said. “The extra experience the archers are receiving shows in their scores.”

That development has been visible from the beginning of the season to now.

“Having a sense of confidence and pride in their accomplishments,” they said. “Seeing where these archers were at the beginning of the season and in the end, there is no comparison. Skills improve, confidence improves, and the bottom line is ‘Have Fun,’ as Coach Jeff Klug would say.”

That balance of hard work and enjoyment has helped define the Cardinals’ season. It also helps explain the excitement that comes with team awards and medals. As Alexandria’s focus turns to the state tournament on Saturday, March 28, at the Amsoil Arena in Duluth, the Cardinals will stick to their regular practice schedule, with a renewed focus on those same small details that have carried them this far.

For Alexandria archery, the formula is simple: work hard, support each other and trust the little things. The results and hardware will follow.

“It is always fun to win,” Stratton and Erickson said. “You can see it on their faces when it comes to awards/medals.”